Coronado

Coronado, also known as Coronado Island, is an affluent resort city located in San Diego County, California, across San Diego Bay from downtown San Diego. Its population was 24,697 at the 2010 census, up from 24,100 at the 2000 census. U.S. News and World Report lists Coronado as one of the most expensive places to reside in the United States. Coronado lies on a peninsula connected to the mainland by a 10-mile (16 km) isthmus called the Silver Strand (locally, The Strand.) Locals sometimes call Coronado The Island or Coronado Island, and they denote the core living and business area as The Village. In May 2012, Dr. Stephen Leatherman, Director of the Laboratory for Coastal Research, ranked Coronado Beach as the best beach in the United States.

Coronado is Spanish for “the crowned one”, and thus it is nicknamed The Crown City. There have been three ships of the United States Navy named after the city, including the USS Coronado (LCS-4).

Tourism is an essential component of Coronado’s economy. This city is home to three major resorts (Hotel Del Coronado, Coronado Island Marriott and Loews Coronado Bay Resort) as well as several other hotels and inns. The downtown district along Orange Avenue with its many shops, restaurants and theaters is also a key part of the local economy. Many of the restaurants are highly rated and provide a wide variety of cuisine choices.

In 2008, The Travel Channel rated Coronado Beach as the fifth best beach in America.

Coronado is home to two live theatre companies – Lamb’s Players Theatre, San Diego’s 3rd largest theatre company, and the Coronado Playhouse. The latter being the oldest community theatre in San Diego County. It was first organized as the Coronado Players in February 1946. Both theatres present a variety of performances throughout the year.